The text flashed across Mitch's vision.

Jerome Aceti's bounty has been raised by 200¤, bringing the total to 1000¤!

He smirked and sheathed his iron sword.

The Hunger Games had become a business. Survive the longest and get 50¤, plus however much bounty you managed to claim. The fallen ones would respawn, but it would cost them 50¤. If you ran out of money, you were out for good.

Mitch was one of the lucky ones. He always went after the ones with the highest bounty (which was placed by the invisible spectators, who pretty much ran the Games), and, as a result, usually had a fairly high bank account. He'd seen Jerome in a couple of Games, and had never been able to figure out what the hell he was. No human had fangs, or that unruly of hair. It just wasn't possible.

Mitchell Hughes's bounty has been raised by 1000¤ by player Jerome Aceti, bringing the total to 4045¤!

"Players can't raise bounties," Mitch murmured, immediately straightening up and looking around, hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "Unless they're about to get the kill."

"4045 is a good bounty, isn't it? You should know, Hunter."

Mitch looked up, acting as if he wasn't surprised. On the ridge in front of him was a tall, willowy man, with brown, knotted hair spilling down his back. He wore a suit, torn across the shoulder, and a diamond axe strapped to his back.

Jerome.

"Hunter? Do you even know my real name?"

"Mitchell Hughes. It says in the announcements."

Mitch couldn't help but roll his eyes. "How do you know that's not a stage name?"

"Because I watch you. I know you."

Shocked, Mitch stared up at Jerome. "You... What are you?"

Jerome smirked, showing those pointed teeth. "I'm the night, Mitch. I stalk you through it. I've seen you team and I've seen you kill. You're ruthless, and you just want to be at the top."

Mitch stumbled back, shivering. What... What was he talking about?

Jerome took his axe out of it's hold, and dropped it to the ground. "So kill me. 1000 faij to your name, instantly. I'll respawn. I have the money."

"No... No, you won't. I'm not going to kill you."

The wild man chuckled, but didn't reach for his axe. "So you do have a soul. Your infamous, Hunter. People think you're a machine; you're that good."

"Don't call me Hunter. It makes me sound like a serial killer."

"But aren't you?"

He's good, Mitch thought to himself, flinching.

Because it was true. So many lives, lost at his hand, only to be revived and have it happen again. He'd slaughtered so many.

Jerome looked up at the darkening sky. "The full moon. You'll have to kill me, Mitch. There's no way around it."

"What are you?" Mitch repeated, quieter this time.

"The government's mistake." Jerome gave a small smile before screaming in pain as thick fur rippled across his skin.

Scrambling back and drawing his sword, Mitch watched as Jerome transformed, dropping onto all fours.

"Werewolf..."

The oaken wolf in front of him snarled, baring its fangs. It wasn't Jerome. Not really. It was an animal, something a normal human boy was cursed with, probably at a young age. How could anyone grow up like this?

"Calm down, boy," Mitch said, lowering his voice.

"I'm not a dog," the wolf growled, voice low and sounding of gravel. It clamped the diamond axe in its jaws, and started to approach.

For each step it took forward, Mitch backed up. He didn't want to fight, but it looked like he might have to.

The wolf sprung right then, and Mitch dropped down, moving away. It crashed to the ground and didn't get up for a few precious moments. In that time, Mitch lunged, but by the time he got close enough, the wolf was already back on it's feet. Snapping jaws closed around his sword, only to immediately pull away, blood pouring from the wolf's muzzle.

Instinct rushed through Mitch in a surge, not even realizing what he was doing. Taking up offensive, he swept the axe out from under the wolf with his foot, then swung his sword.

If the wolf hadn't tried to escape, it probably would have lived.

Instead, the blade was driven into it's shoulder, and up it's neck.

Jerome Aceti was slaughtered by Mitchell Hughes!

Jerome Aceti's 1000¤ bounty has been claimed by Mitchell Hughes!

Jerome Aceti is out of the Hunger Games!

····

I have an obsession with ASFWerewolf. Don't judge me.

Also, the Hunger Games Song decided to play while I was writing this. The feels were strong. Apparently, it's not just my Pandora. My Google Play Music hates me too. Fantastic.

Anyways.

See you next chapter?

Baiii